When my cell phone rings, to notify me that you are calling, the five tones that fill the air may seem familiar, particularly if you are a Steven Spielberg fan. In his now, ancient film, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” the means of communicating, between extraterrestrial beings and humankind, across the universe of time, space, language and culture, was through musical tones. Today you may know that scientists are hard at work trying to understand a whole new world of musical neuroscience and how musical conversations take place in the minds of musicians. One goal of musical neuroscience is to better understand the brain’s circuitry and how it can re-wire itself. The hope is that this may lead to new treatments for neural disorders. Perhaps, as we age, we can rewire our brains!

If your life requires communication, you will understand how, many years ago, during my treasured days with Atlantic records, I had the experience of hearing and seeing my dear friend Charles Lloyd and his quartet on stage at the Monterey Jazz Festival, in California. The group opened their set with a song titled “Forest Flower.” I will never forget it. Although I had listened to and loved jazz since I was truly a child, I had never recognized how clearly and powerfully jazz musicians could talk to each other through their music. Charles laid out the most beautiful sax intro and then handed off the riff to Keith Jarrett on the piano. The result was magic and as the music was shared from one performer to another, the audience responded with a growing, enthusiastic ovation. The world responded by making the Forest Flower “LP” one of the best-selling jazz recordings of all time. What sort of music do you enjoy? Perhaps I should ask “what sort of music talks to you?

More articles like this can be found in “The Desert Wind,” my Monday morning blog series. (See the sidebar.) If you enjoy these inspirational messages, please click here to subscribe to my blog.

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There is nothing more inspiring than to look up in the cold grey winter sky and see a flock of wild geese passing over. Here, in the west, weather wise, our seasons don’t always conform to what the rest of the nation is doing and so, for the last few weeks there have been long strands of wild-wings in the skies over head. The flight of waterfowl always indicates to me either the end, or the beginning, of a primal journey. They are either going to or returning from places familiar, over routes that require no compass or satellite guidance. Perhaps you live in an area where you have seen the long “V” formations overhead during migration.

As my Tribal friends have taught me, in life, as in business, understanding why things happen in nature can serve as a beneficial guide to harmony and increasing success. There are two main reasons that geese fly in formation. The first is the conservation of energy. Imagine flying a thousand miles or more each year. Each bird flying slightly above the one in front decreases the wind resistance and allows for long periods of flight without the need to stop and rest. Geese, flying alone, have an increase in heart rate that requires more frequent stops to rest and a greater strain on their heart and health. The second reason for flying in formation is that it is much easier to keep track of every bird in the group. Communication and coordination are improved in this way.

Don’t spend time worrying about your place in the formation… You too will be called upon to lead one day. Fly strong and true!

More articles like this can be found in “The Desert Wind,” my Monday morning blog series. (See the sidebar.) If you enjoy these inspirational messages, please click here to subscribe to my blog.

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Right smack-dab in the middle of America, in the beautiful state of Kansas, there is a little town called Pretty Prairie. It is aptly named because, right now, it is surrounded by the most beautiful snow covered farmland and fields. Some years ago I was given the gift of working on a documentary film about a very special event which happens every year in that town of about 500 people. Those fine folks produce the biggest “Night Rodeo” in the state of Kansas and that is what the film is about. It is titled “Little Town-Big Rodeo.” While I was spending time, breaking bread, sharing and visiting with these genuine salt-of-the-earth Americans, I was reminded, again and again, of something that I have found in all of the great people that I have met in my blest life. They do whatever it takes to finish the job. Whether it’s a promise to a neighbor, commitment to their Country or staying on board a brahma bull, they do it. Like the rodeo champions, both cowboys and cowgirls that I have met, I can say that these folks are as tough as rawhide…

They were tough for sure but not a-one of them was mean.

May this be said of all of us throughout the year!

More articles like this can be found in “The Desert Wind,” my Monday morning blog series. (See the sidebar.) If you enjoy these inspirational messages, please click here to subscribe to my blog.

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Nobody likes to feel like an afterthought. I recently found myself catching up on birthdays for two of my bright and beautiful daughters-in-law. I pride myself on remembering and responding to special dates and days in our family. I blew it! Sometimes there are reasons for things being missed but there are never excuses.

Charlie Cox was my Dad. He was a wonderful man and the one to blame for all of my thank you’s and please’s.  In the dictionary, right next to the words courtesy and kindness, you will find the name Charles Walter Cox. Dad was a world class municipal bond trader and from his office on Spring Street, in Los Angeles, California, he would often travel north to San Francisco or east to Chicago, New York or Boston. On those long train trips he would visit every five-and-dime or toy store at his destinations, to collect gifts and trinkets to bring home in his suitcase. Every Christmas morning we would awaken to the prospect of stockings, hung by the chimney with care, filled with treasures from across Charlie’s beloved America. When we reached into those repositories of joy, we knew that Dad had remembered us every day of the year and every mile of his travels. We were never an afterthought with Charlie; we were always on his mind.

It works the same way in business. Guests, Clients and co-workers must always be “present” in our hearts and minds.

“Oh, that we could always see such spirit through the year.” (The Charlie Brown Christmas Children’s Choir…)

Bless you and your Family’s Holidays!

More articles like this can be found in “The Desert Wind,” my Monday morning blog series. (See the sidebar.) If you enjoy these inspirational messages, please click here to subscribe to my blog.

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It’s a bright, crisp desert morning. The cloudless sky above is crystal blue and the breeze smells of sage and mesquite. I am at Heritage Park, high above the Las Vegas strip to celebrate the athletic skills of a very dear friend. Nick is 13 years old and plays a great game of lacrosse. We love his family as if they were our own. There are, at this sports complex, about a dozen fields of play from football to baseball and lacrosse. This morning there are a thousand plus young boys and girls all warming up caught between their desire to play ball and their thoughts of their cozy warm beds. It is 7:45 am and the temperature is a brisk 55 degrees. Coaches are preaching and coaching and the youth of America are listening and practicing in preparation for the games to come.

At 7:55am the P.A. system crackles and a ladies voice welcomes everyone to the games and then requests that we stand for the playing of our national anthem. I am of an age where I instantly rise, face the flag and, hand over heart, begin to simultaneously sing and get goose pimples. So do most of the kids on the field in front of me. I’m impressed. The only ones who do not are the unfortunate offspring of parents, and coaches, who never miss a beat with their laughing and carrying on during our national anthem. Kids live what we model… If our nation (and our politicians) are not what you remember or what you wish they might be… Take a moment to look in your mirror and ask yourself, just what sort of a patriot model am I?

More articles like this can be found in “The Desert Wind,” my Monday morning blog series. (See the sidebar.) If you enjoy these inspirational messages, please click here to subscribe to my blog.

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Is this a song title that you know? A dear friend of mine, Linwood Bell, here in Nevada, has just finished creating an arrangement of this song for the great vocalist, Josh Groban. This creation is to be used on-stage, in his current show. An arrangement such as this ensures that the whole orchestra or band, can pull together, play together, and produce a powerful rendition of the chosen song. It’s a huge responsibility, because it takes the lyrics and the music of the original composition and surrounds and supports the emotion of the presentation. A great arrangement can even inspire the performance of the artist. In business, if you work on a team you are also part of a band. If you lead a team you are truly an arranger. How well you work at your craft can be seen in the response of your associates to the tasks at hand; their performance.

If you are a member of a family you are definitely in a band. Nothing makes beautiful music like a family that works together, grows together, and celebrates the dynamics of the music of life. A great parent/arranger learns to create ways to bring and hold the family together in the best of times and the worst of times.

Think back to one of your favorite songs. Pull it out, put on your head phones, and listen to it again. This time, listen for the arrangement and experience how much more there is to a memorable piece of music. As you hear the song again for the first time, ask yourself; do I remember when it rained? The applause at the end of Josh’s performance is the reward for everyone: the performer, the orchestra, the stage hands, and, of course, the arranger!

Let’s make some inspiring music this week…

More articles like this can be found in “The Desert Wind,” my Monday morning blog series. (See the sidebar.) If you enjoy these inspirational messages, please click here to subscribe to my blog.

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Once upon a time, the the story begins, but it is what comes thereafter that determines the success or failure of the book. Great authors try to choose intriguing characters and subjects. Fascinating characters and subjects make for bestselling novels! My question, for us all is, what character do we bring to work each day? In your meditations and prayers, each evening, do you ever stop to look at the wonder of your life; the highs, the lows, the loves and the heartbreaks, the glories and the tragedies? Every moment of your precious life has been spent gathering information and wisdom. Through all of our senses we not only perceive but we grow from that which swirls around us. If we are to serve others, at the very highest level, we must come to know ourselves first. Who is the server? What makes us great? What have we learned? What have we yet to learn? What have we shared and what do we have yet to share? Your life story is the nourishment of your performance and the character of your being. It must not written by others. We must be the ones holding the pen!

More articles like this can be found in “The Desert Wind,” my Monday morning blog series. (See the sidebar.) If you enjoy these inspirational messages, please click here to subscribe to my blog.

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Whenever I read about the untimely demise of people, I ask myself, why such a tragic ending? With the loss of Glee star, Cory Montieth, with good looks, money, fame, a family and a lovely co-star and girlfriend, what could possibly have led to such a conclusion? The answer lies not in the ending, splashed across the television and the tabloids, but in the beginning of the story. Whether it is in our work/service, our relationships, our art, or our creations, our belief in ourselves determines the outcome. There are no “Bad Times” only learning times. In this life, recognizing how truly important, significant and wonderful we are will always lead to the most positive outcomes. Get up, get going, and, in all of our endeavors, let us make beautiful beginnings over and over again!

More articles like this can be found in “The Desert Wind,” my Monday morning blog series. (See the sidebar.) If you enjoy these inspirational messages, please click here to subscribe to my blog.

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